Joanne’s Comments

Joanne’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Note: Joanne is not currently a member of this group.

I've been reading up a storm, making my way through a long series.

Day 3 DQs: Chapters 9 - 13

9. Well, these chapters definitely get exciting! Alex is attacked by a gluma, which seems like a Gray on steroids. She later recalls that they are messengers sometime used by the houses. Book & Snake are the ones that can "create" these messengers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were behind the attack. Who do you think is trying to have Alex killed? Do you think it's because of her investigation or for some other sinister purpose?

I think she is getting too close to the truth and someone involved in Tara's death is behind the attack.

10. "But one thought returned again and again as he tossed and turned, fell in and out of dreams, morning light beginning its slow bleed through the high tower window: Alex Stern was not what she seemed." We know that Alex is special because she can see Grays without the assistance of potions, but Darlington knows this, as well. What do you think that thought means? Is there something more to Alex that makes her "not what she seemed"? Why do you think she can see Grays in the first place?

I don't know what made Darlington think this but I'm interested to know. Was there something in that mist that allows him to see/know things he normally wouldn't? I don't know why she can see Grays. I'm curious if she has anything in common with the boy who could see that roller coaster.

11. A lot has been happening to the Lethe House Dante and Virgil: Darlington gets purposely drugged at the Manuscript party, he subsequently goes missing, and now someone is trying to off Alex. Do you think that these incidents are connected? Do you think someone has it out for not only Alex, but Lethe House in general? Any other theories about what might be happening?

I didn't think the Manuscript drugging was related because that just seemed like the society having fun with him, but I can see whatever happened to make Darlington disappear, and the attack on Alex to be related. Someone may be trying to take out the whole house. Which seems like it would be way too ridiculously easy to do. They don't have any backup. If Darlington had disappeared the previous year, there wouldn't have even been anyone to take his place. Doesn't seem like the best system.

12. After reading the chapter about Darlington's past, my immediate thought was, "Does Sandow do all of his recruiting in the hospital?" Do you think that he preys on vulnerable kids? Why would he do so when there are thousands of freshman at Yale they could recruit to be Dante?

It looks that way. It's much easier to control a kid that could never have gotten into Yale on their own.

Day 2 - Chapters 5-8

5. In chapter 5, we meet Professor Marguerite Belbalm who Alex has a meeting with. What do you make of their meeting? Why is she proving help for Alex? Do you think she's just being a helpful teacher or that she has a sinister reason, like wanting to use Alex for something? How do you think this will influence Alex's behaviours and choices in the book?

Reading it I didn't suspect her of any ulterior motives and thought she just wanted to help a student that she saw struggling. I hope I am correct.

6. Whilst Alex is looking at the crime scene of Tara 'on the other side of the intersection', she has a sense of familiarity and then remembers Helllie and Len struggling in the apartment. Len asks her to let them out. What do think happened in that situation and why did she remember it? I feel like it is something important to the story. Do you think this memory will lead to a large reveal or is it just a small and not so important memory?

This was really interesting and caught my attention. I don't have a theory about what happened to Len and Hellie but I'm intrigued to see what prompted this deja vu feeling in her.

7. In chapter 7 we get a glimpse into Alex's past and what she had to go through to deal with the ghosts. I honestly wasn't expecting us to find out about her past until past halfway mark. She mentions a lot of issues she had to deal with like no one believeing her, kids making fun of her and ostracising her, her parents, that awful bathroom scene, her illicit drug abuse... Why do you think the Lethe society didn't reach out and help her through all that if they were watching her?

I agree that they didn't see what would be in it for them to help her and so they didn't bother.

8. I'm interested in what you guys think of the writing style so far. We have a chapter written in the present tense with Alex and a snippit of passages from books. Then we get Darlington's POV in the past. Are you in favour of this? What do you think of the snippits and are you paying much attention to what they say?

I don't mind back and forth in POV and timeline as long as I can follow it, which I can in this book. I'm reading the snippets but not sure how much useful information I'm remembering.

Day 1 Questions

1. Our book starts out with a Prologue that leaves me understandably a bit lost and confused but wanting more, giving us minimal clues to our forthcoming story.
How do you feel about Prologues? Do you ever go back and Re-read them after you finish the book?

I don't mind them, but these types I find hard to follow sometimes because they throw you into a new world with no build-up or explanation. I tend to re-read them, but not at the end, since I already know everything then. I re-read them when I've got a better grasp on the world and can get more clues out of them. I just re-read the prologue after finishing this day's readings, since it now is much easier to understand.

2. The setting of our story is the prestigious Ivy League school of Yale. The history runs deep and gives a gothic and dark feel to the book. Why else do you think the author may have chosen Yale as the setting?

From previous answers I know that the author attended Yale, so the setting makes sense. I never knew about Yale's secret societies until I heard about it on Gilmore Girls.

3. In Chapter 1 our Main Character, Alex Stern, is running late for the Prognostication. By definition Prognostication is the action of foretelling or prophesying future events. I'm curious as to what the Bonesmen final goal is by performing these ceremonies. Although it is still early in the book are there any guesses as to what the Bonesmen are seeking? Are they after glory ? Time travel? Immortality?

So far it seems they are after weath and the power that brings.

4. The Grays ! I love ghost stories and cannot wait to learn more about the Grays. Alex not only has the ability to see the Grays but is also able to see them in color. This is important and seems to be a key feature that got her this opportunity at the school. Darlington appears to be jealous of this ability of Alex because he needs to take an elixir at a great risk to do the same. How do you see the relationship between Alex and Darlington? Will they become friends, enemies or lovers?

I don't really need or want anything romantic to happen.

I'm starting it today!

Sorry, I've read less than my planned amount also. I've been dealing with back and shoulder issues for two weeks and it's been too painful to really get much reading done this week. With physio I'm finally starting to get better, so I'm hoping things will be pretty well back to normal next week. I'm also starting a 1000 page book to make up for it.

All done. Off to you Alysa!

One chapter left in my book. Let me go finish it and I'll be back in 10.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through my book so whenever my turn comes it won't take me long.

You can put me down for #17. I'll read an In Death book. I'll read most of it and just leave the last chapter for whenever it's my turn. I check in multiple times a day so I should be able to finish it when it's needed.

I see we've dropped from first place. How can we take back out lead? Off to look for a super long book...

Anyone else have a real Veronica Mars vibe from the ending?

Done my last book!

Day 4 - Discussion Questions

16. It seems that one character has so far flown under the radar and yet to me is highly suspicious. The Policeman, Ryan Rodriguez has been in every scene and yet only at the end of this section is he coming under Ellery’s suspicion, I think he may be working alone or in concert with other characters – Why might I be thinking this and who might he be working with?

I think he has secrets but I think he may be related to the twins in some way, rather than guilty of anything. Lacey and her classmates graduated in 2015 according to the timeline and Sadie left Echo Ridge in 1997, which is when someone would have been born that graduated in 2015. I think someone in that graduating year is the child of Sarah or Sadie (and maybe one twin was helping the other twin cover things up and disappear) but I don't really know how this would all work to keep the baby secret. The book hasn't mentioned any of those kids being adopted.

17. Why did Sarah go missing? She wasn’t in the homecoming court so why her? Is the reason for this the reason Sadie feels so guilty?

I think either the killer took the wrong twin by accident, or they took Sadie, and the woman we know as Sadie is actually Sarah.

18. Viv changes her mind about a connection between what happened previously and what is happening now she is quoted as saying “Even if someone was unhinged enough to get away with murder and brag about it five years later, the MOs are completely different” Why do you think she changes her mind and do you think she is right about there being no connection?

She just realized Ellery's theory made sense and stole it as her own.

19. Everything started after the death of the teacher on the overpass – do you think there is a connection between that and the developing storyline . Do you think Malcolm, Ellery and Ezra will tell someone what they have found out?

I doubt they will tell, they will probably investigate themselves. It seems like it was Katrin's car that hit the teacher, but it may have been Brooke driving, not Katrin.

What I'm wondering is: is that in 2 or 3 hours from now?

Does anyone have the countdown clock? I can't remember if the round ends at 1 or 2 pm my time and I'm trying to finish my last book.

Day 3: Chapters 12-19

11. So we've heard from Sadie again! (every time I hear her name she reminds me of Sadie by Courtney Summers and I have to keep reminding myself: wrong book sis)
I wonder if substance abuse is the only thing she struggles with, or if there's more to her. She feels a bit off to me... Is she hiding something, or is that just who she is? Do you think she knows or at least has an idea of what happened to her sister? Why does she not want to talk about Sarah at all, and why did she leave Echo Ridge? Would you have left?... Is she even still at the institute?

I mentioned in my last set of questions that I think (view spoiler)[Sadie and Sarah switched places (hide spoiler)]

12. Even though Sadie has hardly ever been back to Echo Ridge, I have a feeling Ellery and Ezra's dad might be from there. Do you think we have met the twins' father by now? Could it be Vance, or Peter, or somebody else completely? (I actually have a theory, and it's neither of the guys I just mentioned lol)

Hmmm I hadn't considered this.

13. Viv has been acting very strangely towards Ellery. What is her problem? Do you think she's jealous of Ellery for getting nominated for Prom Queen, or that she has kind of gotten into their friend group without even trying?

It seems like she is jealous. They have a Mean Girls vibe and situations like that always have someone trying to get closer to the inner circle

14. I can't stop thinking about what happened in the past. First Sarah went missing, then years later Lacey vanished and had been found dead shortly after. Do you think Sarah shared the same fate, or is she still out there somewhere? Are their cases related? And then Mr. Bowman has been killed in a hit and run - what a nice introduction to town our twins had here. Do you think this is connected to everything else that's been going on in town, with Daisy and Declan being back, etc.?

I feel like maybe Sarah is still out there because they never found the body. Maybe her twin helped her disappear. I think it's all connected.

15. Just like Viv, Brooke has been acting weirdly as well, but I don't think it has anything to do with Ellery. She seemed worn down when El sat with the girls at lunch, and Mr. Bowman's death seemed to get to her way more than to her peers. Do you think she had anything to do with the hit and run, or maybe was involved with the late teacher? Is this why she was so agitated at the party? Where do you think she vanished to when she slept over at Katrin's the week before but was gone for at least 20 minutes?

The very first time we met Brooke, it was mentioned that she looked extremely tired so I don't think it's connected to the twins. Something more is going on with her but I can't figure out what. I hope she is ok.

DQ Day 2: Chapters 6-11

6. It's taken me a bit to understand what's happening in town currently and in the past. Has anyone else struggled or have you caught on well? Do you think the author has set the scene well, or are there improvements/other ways you think would work better?

So far it's been ok, but I could see it being harder to follow on audio with all the characters.

7. We meet Declan Kelly in this chapter, Malcolm's brother. What are your impressions on him? Do you think he murdered Lacey? Or has anything to do with Sarah's (Sadie's twin) disappearance? The hit and run of Mr Bowman or the threats around town? If not, who do you think is responsible for all of them, or any of them? Do you have any theories so far on the connections of the occurrences? I feel like there's so many suspects and Sadie is definitely hiding something.

I think it would be too obvious if Declan murdered Lacey. My thoughts are that the same person is responsible for Sarah and Lacey, so it must be someone who is older at the time of Lacey. As far as Sadie hiding something, I haven't read ahead at all so these are just theories, but I think (view spoiler)[Sadie is actually Sarah, and that something happened to Sadie all those years ago and Sarah took her place. There have been multiple comments so far in the book of twins taking each others places, and even that scene where Ellery and Ezra are looking in a yearbook and Ellery thinks she is looking at a picture of her mother, and the caption says it's actually Sarah. (hide spoiler)]

8. The Homecoming Court announcements: Did it surprise you that Ellery was nominated for Queen? Why do you think she was 'chosen' as a potential Queen? It's kind of ominous to the Homecoming, isn't it? I feel like Homecoming is where things will go crazy. What do you guys predict will happen?

I agree with Ellery that no one would have randomly voted for her and someone probably hacked the app. Homecoming should be interesting but I don't have theories.

9. As an Australian, I don't understand the craze around Homecoming. We have Formals which is similar to Homecoming but no one is chosen as a Queen or King. Did you go to a Homecoming in High School, or something similar? What was it like? I went without a boy (too cool for boys back then) and went with one of my girl friends. We had a blast! My aunty actually helped me design my dress and made it for me. It was actually my first introduction on how to dress feminine and like it!

I'm not really sure what homecoming is. I assumed it was a prom-like dance but it's happening in October. The only thing we had at my school was a "Grad" dance in Grade 12 at the end of the year to celebrate graduating. No voting for king or queen or anything. If it's something football related, we never had a football team or cheerleaders at my school.

10. It seems like Daisy has been through a lot... Her breakdown in the car and shutting herself in her room. What do you think is going on with her? Do you think she's finally dealing with Lacey's death or do you think something else is going on with her?

She seems like she's really going through something but I can't understand what happened to change things so recently. It must be related to Declan secretly being in town also though.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 5

1.) Why are you participating in this BOM? Just for extra Tower Teams points? Because you were interested in/going to read this book anyway? Have you read other words by this author?

I read the author's first book and liked it, but hadn't added this one to my tbr yet. So I added it for the TT points.

2.) I'm loving Ellery's true crime obsession. Pre-child I used to have the Discovery ID channel (true crime, all the time) on a lot as background. Though I'm thinking this is foreshadowing of not good things to come. What do you think? Have you read any of the crime books mentioned so far?

I'm not really a fan of true crime, but I read In Cold Blood (which I didn't care for). I've never read Ann Rule. Can't remember any others mentioned.

3.) Characters, first impressions. What do you think of Ellery & Ezra? Sadie, and the fact they refer to her by her first name and not 'Mom'? Malcom & Katrin? Familial relations seems to be a central theme to this book and specifically sibling relationships. There's been several twin references and references to other sibling relationships (Declan, Daisy, Lacey's siblings, etc). Do you think these types of ties will play into the main story line?

I don't really have any opinions on anyone yet. Interested to get to know everyone better.

4.) This book is set in a small town and that type of atmosphere has been highlighted strongly during the set-up of the story. However, it isn't really the bucolic small town setting being highlighted by the author, but the everyone is in everyone else's business and will judge the crap out of your entire family if given the chance. What do you think of small towns? Would you like to live in one (or do you already)?

I hate the idea of everyone knowing everyone else's business so I'm glad not to live in a small town. I feel like people can definitely be more judgmental when they feel like they know everything about you.

5.) I loved the epitaph of Mr. Bowman's tombstone.
"Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I may remember
Involve me and I learn"
What did you think about it? Do you agree with the statement? And why do you think there has been such a focus on a seemingly sad, but random hit and run?

Agree that hands on learning is one of the best ways to remember, although people have different learning styles. It seems like a lot of people die mysteriously in this town so I'm sure it's related somehow.

I probably won't be a help in the series ladder because I tend to start my books at the beginning of the week and end them near the weekend. And I'm not sure what I will be reading yet, other than probably
and